Fun with Friends

We went to the Bassett's and decorated cookies the other day - the kids had a great time! They all get along so well, it's nice to see them and be able to hang out with friends :)

Snow in Katy

Lots of fun, lots of photos!

Birthdays

I'm behind...we've had two birthdays recently.

Braden is 6 now, I can't believe it was six years ago our life changed and we became a family of 3. Wow - we welcomed our 5th family member this year, Braden is a great big brother. He would want to hold Blake (for a few minutes then he'd say "I'm done"), takes pride in helping me and also shares in the funny things Blake does - he's fun to laugh with. Braden has a great imagination, a tender heart, likes riding bikes, building and creating things with blocks, lincoln logs etc - you name it! We may have an engineer on our hands. He enjoys hiking and climbing rocks (we discovered at Enchanted rock), he is sweet to Blake, rough with Truitt, loves his Dad and can't wait for him to get home each night and still has a special place in his heart for his mom - not so much in public anymore :) That's ok though - I'll take the love when and where I can get it! Braden started Kindergarten this year and is doing great - I'm so thankful school isn't a chore - yet!

Truitt is now 3...and ever so busy! He follows Braden around and does what he does, says what he says. Truitt is brave and daring, not afraid of much at all (scary!). He started preschool this year and loves it, it makes him feel like a big boy since his brother is in school. He is in the stage where he says many memorable things. In the mornings he tells me "I waked up Mom" and I think how thankful I am he did. He loves to sing - some of his favorites are "This little light of mine", "Jesus loves me" and "Happy Birthday". He has a sweet smile that melts my heart and I look forward to what this year will bring.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

I just LOVE his sweet little voice....

Is this it?

It is with some sadness that I have to "retire" this cute cowboy costume. Each of my sweet boys have worn it and I just love it. I think the thought of having no more children in general makes me a little sad!

Braden - 11 months

Truitt - 11 months

Blake - 9 months

Pumpkin Patch

Here are a few individuals at the pumpkin patch...

Boys will be boys....

I doubt I need to point out the reason for this post. It's so perfectly round, how you ask? Truitt + excercise bands. He cleverly worked the band onto the coffee table so that it wouldn't move, then pulled the other end of the band back and let it go...which then met with Blake's face. Poor guy, he took it quite well - after a little crying he was crawling around again (which made trying to keep a cool pack on him hard - I just gave up). I am thankful it didn't hit his eye...needless to say the bands no longer reside under the coffee table. Now I'll deal with the stares and questions :)

Movin'

Read this...

I have tearfully finished reading this book and it brought conviction to my heart. Gospel for Asia is an organization that raises support for native missionaries to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who have never before heard His name. The book is written by the founder of GFA and he shares some amazing experiences. I encourage you to read it, it's well worth your time and a cause worthy of our support.

9 months

We went for Blake's 9 month well visit last week. He weighs 19 1/4 lbs and is 28.5 inches long....a healthy growing boy. He is a sweet boy. He loves to cuddle with his arms around my neck, stands on his own (for a few seconds), has 4 teeth, loves watching his big brothers play, crawls towards the "noise" in the house (which means he'll find his brothers which is where the action is), likes to talk, loves fridge magnets, likes to be outside and is beginning to realize he can move his own fingers :)

3rd Child

As we sat down to eat dinner last night, I laid Blake in the boppy with a bottle. We ate our meal and I began to clean up when Kurt said "Where's Blake?". For a minute I thought "Who? Oh yes, our 3rd child...." he was so quiet I seriously forgot about him for about 15 minutes! As we peeked into the living room we found him, fast asleep....so precious and sweet.

Camp Peniel - Part 2

A few more photos....

Using the sling shot...we hit a few cans :)

The 3 stooges!

Tree Climbing

They found a toad

Braden jumping onto the blob.

Camp Peniel

This past weekend Braden and I went to mother/son camp in Marble Falls. We went with Rebecca, Cole, Sharyn and Jake - we had a good time! There was plenty for the boys to do...on Saturday we started out with breakfast and then a session with a speaker. While the moms listened to the speaker the boys went off and heard about Daniel and then took a nature walk. Braden later pointed out things to me he was told about on his nature walk. As we walked along the trail to the zip line (which we all rode except Braden) he told me that the trail is marked with numbers, "See, there is a 7, you've gone 7".....very cute. The remainder of the day was open to activities - rode horses, archery, sling shots, pool, lake, zip line, the canoe...it was a full day!

It was kind of hard to use the bow but he gave it a few trys

and so did I, it was FUN!

snacks and swimming

taking a break from swimming

Truitt Starts Preschool

Truitt had a great first day of preschool. Everything was familiar to him since he has been there for the last 2+ years dropping off Braden - he is excited that it is now "his school". We had devotional, prayed, said goodbye and off he went. He didn't think twice about leaving my side, which is nice. When I picked him up from school I was told he ate his lunch and took a nap - he did great! He saw me packing his bag and I said he had school tomorrow, his reply "yea - school!".

In front of the school

Devotinal time

Carrying all his "gear"

Braden's first day of preschool :) Truitt has Ms. Terry and so did Braden.

Sea World

Feeding the birds, they want that food!

Truitt was a little unsure of all the birds.

Ahhhh...it was pretty hot.

The heat made the waterpark more fun. Braden LOVED it and would have been happy to be there all day. Truitt wanted to go down the big slides...but was of course too small.

Get Away - Part 2

The photo above of the boys and I was taken right by the river downhill from our cabin.

Relaxing with Dad

We went to Nana's...played on the playground

Went to Grandad's...played in the pool

We attempted a photo of the 3 boys, Blake was not happy.

The boys are just being silly - so what's new?!

Sweet Blake - all over the place!

Going on 8 months...

Blake will be 8 months old soon - time has passed so quickly! I had a newborn session today and while I had my gear out I took a few photos of my happy baby :)

This one is funny....he looks surprised :)

And just for fun...this is Truitt.

Kindergarten

Today, along with many other friends, Braden went to kindergarten. He did great - hopped on the bus and rode off, no problem. I met him up at school and we walked to class together. He sat down at his table and started playing with the blocks, laughing...my que to leave. We said our goodbyes (he gave me a kiss - awe) and my day started off as I left the classroom saying a little prayer for my sweet boy. What next? I took Blake to the doctor - he has an ear infection. The boys and I had lunch with friends, got the car inspected, went to the library, went by the bank, by the cleaners, got a prescription etc. Hello?! Braden was home before I knew it! As he got off the bus I was told "Mom, I didn't want you to be here when I got off the bus, I wanted to walk home by myself". I said "ok, I'll stay home tomorrow." :)

Cookies....as promised.